Wednesday, 2 November 2016
Perth and Beyond
We'll not very far beyond Perth. I stopped off at a cycle shop to ask them to tweak my front brake that was rubbing and refused to submit to my gentle encouragement. The guy spent about 15 minutes tweaking it and as often happens refused any payment. Lots of excellent cycle paths through the city and along the Swan river which is named after the black swans there, of which there were many. I met up with a local woman Maggie, out on her daily ride, we chatted as we cycled together for about an hour and I got a few local tips. Spent the first night at the coast having gone along some pleasant beachside trails. Headed inland still thinking about the Munda Biddi trail and stayed at a lovely B and B except that it was up an extremely steep hill, a reminder of the hill towns in France they Ling and I tackled. However it was worth after returning from the town with dinner ( yes coming up the hill second time) I met my first kangaroos.
Monday, 31 October 2016
Journeying afar
I am finally on the antipodean section of my round the world bike ride. The plan is 14 weeks to cycle round Australia (8) New Zealand (4) Fiji 1) and Hawaii (1). Tough I know but somebody has do it and no one else offered, so here I am.
It is always with a little apprehension that I approach check-in desks with my bicycle, the airline's website may say one thing but the check-in staff may have a different idea. Qantas were very clear on their website that the bike needed to be in a box of their specification, indeed a box rather on the small side which could only work taking the front wheel off. They claimed to provide the boxes at the airport and a phone call confirmed that. Well in as much as the young man said if it is on the website it must be so. I wrapped it in my trusty Wiggle plastic bag ready to go in the box at the airport. Alan and Janet kindly gave me a lift and we arrived at the desk well ahead of time. We said our goodbyes and I didn't have long to wait. I enquired about the Qantas boxes and was told there was no such thing and it could go as it was. One of the staff pushed my trolley to the oversized luggage section and checked it was okay. Best of all as it was in my total luggage limit no extra charge for the bike!
The flight though lengthy was made tolerable by the section from Dubai being only a quarter full so could lay across 3 seats. While waiting I got an email from the hotel in Perth to say that they could fit my bike in the shuttle bus.
My intention was to do a loop along the Munda Biddi trail and return via the coast. The time available was curtailed by limits of time on insurance so only a week for this area. To my surprise the first night in the hotel was freezing cold, I stayed a second night as having arrived at 2am after a long flight I knew I wouldn't be up to leaving by 10am. The second night was even colder so I didn't feel like camping on the trail
It is always with a little apprehension that I approach check-in desks with my bicycle, the airline's website may say one thing but the check-in staff may have a different idea. Qantas were very clear on their website that the bike needed to be in a box of their specification, indeed a box rather on the small side which could only work taking the front wheel off. They claimed to provide the boxes at the airport and a phone call confirmed that. Well in as much as the young man said if it is on the website it must be so. I wrapped it in my trusty Wiggle plastic bag ready to go in the box at the airport. Alan and Janet kindly gave me a lift and we arrived at the desk well ahead of time. We said our goodbyes and I didn't have long to wait. I enquired about the Qantas boxes and was told there was no such thing and it could go as it was. One of the staff pushed my trolley to the oversized luggage section and checked it was okay. Best of all as it was in my total luggage limit no extra charge for the bike!
The flight though lengthy was made tolerable by the section from Dubai being only a quarter full so could lay across 3 seats. While waiting I got an email from the hotel in Perth to say that they could fit my bike in the shuttle bus.
My intention was to do a loop along the Munda Biddi trail and return via the coast. The time available was curtailed by limits of time on insurance so only a week for this area. To my surprise the first night in the hotel was freezing cold, I stayed a second night as having arrived at 2am after a long flight I knew I wouldn't be up to leaving by 10am. The second night was even colder so I didn't feel like camping on the trail
Monday, 13 June 2016
Racing and Riding
Catching up as Google has provided me with some technical difficulties. Now already 3 days ago we chatted to an American family who had hired a large cruiser and were going through a lock. We several times passed and repassed them trying to claim we were faster. We saw them again the next day when we were having lunch and waved goodbye as they were going back.
Ling says this was a good day as we didn't get lost. We arrived in Agen and I fancied a glass of wine while Ling did the shopping but I was thwarted as the shop was too far away.
Outside the supermarket we were going to lock the bikes and both go in but without saying anything to each other we decided one of us should wait with the bikes. The reason being there was a very scruffy bloke who may have been under the influence of alcohol or possibly other substances and looked as though he might take anything he could get off our bikes.
The day ended at a budget motel cooking dinner on a picnic bench.
The next day we headed for Auvillar where Ling had stayed while walking. It was a lovely ride but it is an old hill top town so the last part was a hard push uphill.
We decided as the weather was going to be horrible and the gite was very nice we would have a rest day.
Ling says this was a good day as we didn't get lost. We arrived in Agen and I fancied a glass of wine while Ling did the shopping but I was thwarted as the shop was too far away.
Outside the supermarket we were going to lock the bikes and both go in but without saying anything to each other we decided one of us should wait with the bikes. The reason being there was a very scruffy bloke who may have been under the influence of alcohol or possibly other substances and looked as though he might take anything he could get off our bikes.
The day ended at a budget motel cooking dinner on a picnic bench.
The next day we headed for Auvillar where Ling had stayed while walking. It was a lovely ride but it is an old hill top town so the last part was a hard push uphill.
We decided as the weather was going to be horrible and the gite was very nice we would have a rest day.
TRAIL COLLAPSE
Yesterday we finished the lovely Roger Lapebie cycle trail, confusingly called a piste. (We did a bit more than necessary by going 5km the wrong way from the campsite, so 10km in total wasted.)This was a fully tarmacked trail well away from roads and well signposted. This then led to a very hilly section in the hottest part of the day.
Today was very exciting, we are now following the Garrone canal and noticed a few kliometres along that the water level was very low and it looked barely navigable although there were boats tied up. We discovered a bit further on that the canal bank with cycle path had collapsed and the canal was draining out down to the nearby river. We were certainly glad not to have been there the day before!
The day continued to be exciting when we cycled passed a group of french cyclists who cheered and applauded us as if we were in the Tour de France, it made us feel very special!
Unfortunately after that the weather took a turn for the worse and there was a heavy thunderstorm. We took shelter near a closed restaurant but the staff preparing for the evening opening took pity on us and let us in for some welcoming hot drinks.
Today was very exciting, we are now following the Garrone canal and noticed a few kliometres along that the water level was very low and it looked barely navigable although there were boats tied up. We discovered a bit further on that the canal bank with cycle path had collapsed and the canal was draining out down to the nearby river. We were certainly glad not to have been there the day before!
The day continued to be exciting when we cycled passed a group of french cyclists who cheered and applauded us as if we were in the Tour de France, it made us feel very special!
Unfortunately after that the weather took a turn for the worse and there was a heavy thunderstorm. We took shelter near a closed restaurant but the staff preparing for the evening opening took pity on us and let us in for some welcoming hot drinks.
 |
| Collapsed Cycle path |
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
Bordeaux and beyond
We got up in good time and sorted our bags out. The previous day I had noticed that the front mudguard was rubbing on the wheel and thought it just needed a little tweak but no matter what I did to it I couldn't make any difference, so in an act of frustration I took it off and it is now strapped to the rack bag. Ling was feeling the effect of my frustration and general morning grumpyness and set off before me to wait at the bridge at the start. I think she had a long wait as I did my usual city thing and went in the wrong direction.
Once we got started the cycle trail was as good as promised, traffic free and a good surface. We then had a stop when we came across a very elderly man who had come off his bike and hit his head and elbow badly. Previously I had dissed Ling's first aid kit containg a triangular bandage which nobody ever uses but it came to the fore getting wrapped around his head. It was later retrieved bloodied and sweaty after the ambulance arrived.
The route continued to be pleasant and easy to follow but it was exceptionally hot. We decided on a short day and went to a lovely campsite after only 24km as the next one would have been a bit of a stretch.
We splashed out a massive 6 euros for our evening meal -really must try and cut back tomorrow.
Once we got started the cycle trail was as good as promised, traffic free and a good surface. We then had a stop when we came across a very elderly man who had come off his bike and hit his head and elbow badly. Previously I had dissed Ling's first aid kit containg a triangular bandage which nobody ever uses but it came to the fore getting wrapped around his head. It was later retrieved bloodied and sweaty after the ambulance arrived.
The route continued to be pleasant and easy to follow but it was exceptionally hot. We decided on a short day and went to a lovely campsite after only 24km as the next one would have been a bit of a stretch.
We splashed out a massive 6 euros for our evening meal -really must try and cut back tomorrow.
Tuesday, 7 June 2016
FRANCE COAST TO COAST
Coast to Coast in France
It's a 4am start for the trip to Gatwick and our flight to Bordeaux. I am doing this trip with my friend Ling. It is her first cycle tour and claims to have never cycled more than 20 miles in a day but in her defence unlike me she has never cycled into a canal or crashed into a perfectly visible barrier using her chin to stop herself. So we should do well between us.
Surviving the 4am start which is a personal achievement though helped by feeding my latte addiction we arrived to a sunny day in Bordeaux.
Awaiting excitedly for our luggage and bikes we find that our chinese laundry bag which contains panniers etc into one bag has ripped open. We don't seem to have lost anything but will need to find another chinese bag. By the time we sorted out the bag we thought we had better get the bikes but were disappointed to find them not there. They arrived at the hostel some 30 hours after we did. It was a good start.
We spent the day on the usual city tourist stuff and today with much more enthusiasm than me for city touring Ling set off on a marathon of bus, tram and ferry tour, we thus parted at lunchtime for me to return to the hostel and sort the bikes out. All went well and there was only minor damage with one rear reflector broken. It was only when I wanted to lock them up did I realise in an act of supreme numtyness I had brought 2 locks one a newly bought very expensive very heavy lock but had managed to leave the keys behind!
One expensive new heavy lock later courtesy of the local cycle shop we are ready to go!
It's a 4am start for the trip to Gatwick and our flight to Bordeaux. I am doing this trip with my friend Ling. It is her first cycle tour and claims to have never cycled more than 20 miles in a day but in her defence unlike me she has never cycled into a canal or crashed into a perfectly visible barrier using her chin to stop herself. So we should do well between us.
Surviving the 4am start which is a personal achievement though helped by feeding my latte addiction we arrived to a sunny day in Bordeaux.
Awaiting excitedly for our luggage and bikes we find that our chinese laundry bag which contains panniers etc into one bag has ripped open. We don't seem to have lost anything but will need to find another chinese bag. By the time we sorted out the bag we thought we had better get the bikes but were disappointed to find them not there. They arrived at the hostel some 30 hours after we did. It was a good start.
We spent the day on the usual city tourist stuff and today with much more enthusiasm than me for city touring Ling set off on a marathon of bus, tram and ferry tour, we thus parted at lunchtime for me to return to the hostel and sort the bikes out. All went well and there was only minor damage with one rear reflector broken. It was only when I wanted to lock them up did I realise in an act of supreme numtyness I had brought 2 locks one a newly bought very expensive very heavy lock but had managed to leave the keys behind!
One expensive new heavy lock later courtesy of the local cycle shop we are ready to go!
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
NICARAGUA TO PANAMA
This is a mini stage of my grand plan to cycle round the world one pedal at a time. Having 'done' North America and Europe this is central America, Nicaragua,Costa Rica and Panama. The flight was lengthy-about 24 hours door to door. The stopover at Houston was lengthy but entertainment was to be had via with the finger print machine which defied logic in the way it operated, having failed to correctly position my fingers I then attempted the selfie part of the ritual, however failed again as I was to short and it just took the top of my head. So eventually computer says 'no' and spits out a bit of paper with a big X. Somewhat concerned now that the whimsical nature of border officials throughout the world may provide further entertainment when I produced my big X I proceeded with some trepidation. However the patient official explained the precise method of applying fingers to reader and all proceeded well.
The first day in Nicaragua was a warm up on the hire bikes and adjustments and swaps. They are fine but slightly wishing I had brought my beautiful Oxford bike.
The afternoon was a trip to the first active volcano - Masaya. It wasn't exactly bubbling but at least it was letting off some steam to please its' admirers,
The next day we left Granada and headed for Omtepe Island. The ride down to the ferry was mainly downhill on rough tracks so was relatively easy and fun. Our lovely guide Chris had made several calls to make sure the ferry was running and we were in luck. ( The luck did not hold for the return trip). The scene at the dockside was busy with brightly coloured flags fluttering noisily in the breeze.
The breeze provided a rather windy crossing with a degree of nausea experience by some. On the island the ride to the hotel was a little more challenging with one hill being about 5 k which was hard work on a hot day. The hotel was next to the beach with hammocks on the veranda so was very pleasant.
The next day was an optional 45k ride on rough roads around the volcano which only one of the group did. Several of us opted for sea kayaking although the island is in the middle of a very large lake so not actual sea but it felt like it. The middle of the trip was up a small estuary to see the local wildlife. We saw a variety of birds, a turtle, a mini alligator and a snake skeleton. It was a really good trip and with a10k ride there and back a good workout.
Moving onto Costa Rica the next day provided some new border excitement previously unparalled in my border crossing experience, except possibly for Argentina into Chile in Patagonia where it is ok to import your sandwiches once you have eaten them but not uneaten in your butty bag.
THIS TRIP BLOG TO BE FINISHED
The first day in Nicaragua was a warm up on the hire bikes and adjustments and swaps. They are fine but slightly wishing I had brought my beautiful Oxford bike.
The afternoon was a trip to the first active volcano - Masaya. It wasn't exactly bubbling but at least it was letting off some steam to please its' admirers,
The next day we left Granada and headed for Omtepe Island. The ride down to the ferry was mainly downhill on rough tracks so was relatively easy and fun. Our lovely guide Chris had made several calls to make sure the ferry was running and we were in luck. ( The luck did not hold for the return trip). The scene at the dockside was busy with brightly coloured flags fluttering noisily in the breeze.
The breeze provided a rather windy crossing with a degree of nausea experience by some. On the island the ride to the hotel was a little more challenging with one hill being about 5 k which was hard work on a hot day. The hotel was next to the beach with hammocks on the veranda so was very pleasant.
The next day was an optional 45k ride on rough roads around the volcano which only one of the group did. Several of us opted for sea kayaking although the island is in the middle of a very large lake so not actual sea but it felt like it. The middle of the trip was up a small estuary to see the local wildlife. We saw a variety of birds, a turtle, a mini alligator and a snake skeleton. It was a really good trip and with a10k ride there and back a good workout.
Moving onto Costa Rica the next day provided some new border excitement previously unparalled in my border crossing experience, except possibly for Argentina into Chile in Patagonia where it is ok to import your sandwiches once you have eaten them but not uneaten in your butty bag.
THIS TRIP BLOG TO BE FINISHED
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